The Greek parliament has voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, allowing Belgian authorities to proceed with their investigation into the Qatargate scandal.
Out of 266 MPs present, 264 voted in favour, with two declaring themselves “present”. The Ethics Committee had recommended this action unanimously after a European arrest warrant was issued by a Belgian judge in June.
Avramopoulos, 73, who represents the ruling New Democracy party, was EU Commissioner for Migration from 2014 to 2019 and has previously served as the mayor of Athens. He has denied any wrongdoing, having requested the immunity be lifted to fully cooperate with authorities. “I have never participated in any illegal activity,” he stated in his memorandum to parliament, adding that he seeks to present evidence to show he is not connected to the allegations.
The investigation also examines Avramopoulos’s ties to the NGO Fight Impunity, founded by former Italian MEP Antonio Panzeri, a key figure in the case. Avramopoulos was on the honourary board of the organisation from 2020 to 2021 and insists his involvement was lawful and declared to the tax authorities.
The European arrest warrant cites allegations of participation in a criminal organisation, public corruption, and money laundering. These allegations are still under investigation and do not imply guilt.
The Belgian probe began in December 2022, following raids and arrests over claims that foreign governments used money and gifts to influence decisions in the European Parliament. Authorities have seized around €1.5 million in cash, with arrests including Panzeri and former European Parliament Vice-President Eva Kaili. Qatar and Morocco have been accused of attempting to influence European decisions, both countries denying the accusations.
The investigation has faced delays due to legal appeals challenging the validity of certain procedures.
